after the death of her mother, leighton's father sends her to a boarding school halfway across the world to be taught a lesson. she knows no one and no one knows her.
but the cherry on top is who her roommate is.
#2 in ptsdawareness
#2 in anxiety
#...
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"but why would i lie? it's so clear im in love. with you."
-footnote by conan gray
⎯⎯⎯
I can feel their eyes on me.
Every time I skate past, there's this... hesitation.
It's fucking annoying.
It's subtle, but I notice it.
The way Luca passes the puck a split second slower, the way Ethan's laughter fades when I join the circle.
They're treating me like I'm fragile, like I might shatter any second.
I'm fucking fine.
The only person treating me normal is Eli.
"Hey, Kai, you good?" Ethan's voice breaks through my thoughts.
"Totally. All good," I reply, forcing a smile that I hope looks convincing.
It's a lie, of course.
Nothing feels good right now.
My mind is a fucking mess and I can't think straight.
We run through drills, but my heart's not in it.
I don't know what's wrong with me.
My legs feel heavy, my movements sluggish.
I can't focus.
I thought I was handling it, but the whispers, the sideways glances... it's too much.
Too. Fucking. Much.
"Kai, heads up!" Luca shouts, but I'm too slow. The puck slams into my skate, knocking me off balance. I hit the ice hard, my breath knocked out of me.
"Shit, you okay?" Luca skates over, concern etched on his face.
"I'm fine," I snap, pushing myself up. But I'm not fine.
My heart is racing, and there's a tightness in my chest that's growing with each second.
I can't breathe.
Practice ends, and I head back to the dorm, my mind spinning.
The hallways feel narrower than usual, the walls closing in. I need to breathe, but I can't seem to get enough air.
By the time I reach my room, my hands are trembling.
I shut the door behind me and sink to the floor, my back against the wood.
My breaths come in shallow gasps, my vision blurring.
Please no.
"Kai?" Leighton's voice is soft, but it cuts through the fog.
